Cortes de Cima

Touriga Nacional

Best known as one of the 5 main varieties used for Port wine, further south here in the Alentejo it’s fruit develops a highly floral and aromatic character. It is a low producer, with both small bunches and berries. Previous vintages have won numerous gold medals and trophies, including IWC Best Portuguese Red Trophy(2005), IWC Touriga Trophy (2003), and the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wine List (2002).

Current Vintage: 2008

Click here for PDFs of past vintages: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008

Vintage 2008

Winter and spring were cold and wet, resulting in delayed budbreak, uneven pollination, fewer bunches and smaller berries, in especially the Aragonez and Touriga Nacional. Summer was kick started with a mini-hot spell in June, but followed by 2 steady months of dry, warm days and cool nights, optimal growing conditions. With the exception of a short rainy spell which quickly passed, the harvest weather was the finest in memory, of dry, warm sunny days, affording us the luxury of fine tuning the harvest tempo according to the ripeness of a particular grape variety, a particular vineyard parcel, and even a particular row of vines.

Vinification

Made exclusively from selected Touriga Nacional grapes hand picked at optimum maturity from chosen sites in our own vineyards. Fermented without stems under temperature control, frequent delestage, followed by extended skin maceration to enhance varietal fruit characters, and to provide tannin structure and balance. Aged for 14 months in French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

Complex aromatics showing some typical varietal floral notes along with hints of blueberries, plums and toasty oak. Elegant, silky, smooth palate with ripe juicy fruit, nicely balanced with mature but firm tannins which give the wine structure, length and bottle ageing potential.

Appellation:

Vinho Regional Alentejano

Varieties:

100% Touriga Nacional

Total Acids:

5.9

Final pH:

3.56

Residual Sugars:

3.3

Alcohol:

14%

Barrel aging:

14 months in French Oak

Grown, produced and bottled at the family estate.

 

Bottled, filtered and unfined in:

April 2010

Total production:

3.200 bottles (75 cl)

Launch date:

December 2012

Awards

Gold Medal

- BACCHUS 2012

Gold Medal

- Vinalies Paris 2012

Silver Medal

- Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2012

Gran Menzione

- Vinitaly 2012

Silver Medal

- Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2011

Silver Medal

- International Wine Challenge – London 2011

Ratings

91

- Wine Enthusiast

Reviews

À peine dans le verre, ce 2008 surprend par sa couleur soutenue rappelant l’encre et par ses reflets pourpres. Les notes de résine, de pin, de fruits noirs et de cacao se mêlent dans un nez expressif et intense. Le palais est corsé, équilibré et généreux ; il exhibe un boisé élégant, signe d’une belle maturité. - 1000 Vins du Monde – Vinalies Internationales

Such a stylish wine, with its elegant perfumed fruit, fine tannins, acidity, blackberry flavors and a firm structure. This is a wine that could age, although it is certainly ready to drink. - Wine Enthusiast

Track Record

2007 Vintage – Silver Medal – Concours Mondial du Vin – Bruxelles – 2009
2007 Vintage – Silver Medal – International Wine Challenge – London 2009
2007 Vintage – Silver Medal (BEST IN CLASS) – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2009
2007 Vintage – Silver Medal – International Wine Challenge – London 2010
2005 Vintage – 90 – Robert Parker
2005 Vintage – PORTUGUESE RED TROPHY – International Wine Challenge – London 2008
2005 Vintage – ALENTEJO TROPHY – International Wine Challenge – London 2008
2005 Vintage – Gold Medal (BEST IN CLASS) – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2008
2005 Vintage – Gold Medal – International Wine Challenge – London 2008
2005 Vintage – Grand Gold – Concours Mondial du Vin – Bruxelles 2008
2005 Vintage – Gold Medal – Challenge Intl. du Vin – Bordeaux 2008
2005 Vintage – Grand Gold – Mundus Vini – Germany 2008
2005 Vintage – Silver Medal – S.F. Intl Wine Competition – California 2008
2005 Vintage – Silver Medal – Decanter World Wine Awards – UK 2008
2005 Vintage – Silver Medal – Vinalies Internationales – France 2008
2003 Vintage – 90 – Wine Enthusiast
2003 Vintage – TOURIGA TROPHY – International Wine Challenge – London 2005
2003 Vintage – Gold Medal – International Wine Challenge – London 2005
2003 Vintage – Grand Gold – Concorso Enologico Internazionale Vinitaly 2005
2003 Vintage – Grand Gold – Concours Mondial du Vin – Bruxelles 2005
2003 Vintage – Gold Medal (BEST IN CLASS) – Intl Wine & Spirit Competition – UK 2005
2003 Vintage – Gold Medal – Mundus Vini – Germany
2003 Vintage – Troféu Excellence – Citadelles du Vin – Bordeaux 2005
2003 Vintage – Silver Medal – Challenge Int. du Vin – Bordeaux 2005
2002 Vintage – 91 – Wine Spectator “Top 100 Wines List”